Catholic Charities president calls on Argentineans not to grow accustomed to poverty

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jun 5, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- In an effort to promote the annual Catholic Charities collection in Argentina which is scheduled for Sunday, June 11, the organization’s president, Bishop Fernando Bargallo of Merlo-Moreno, called on Argentineans to remember that “the social exclusion that many of the poor endure should motivate us to review our attitudes in order that we do not grow accustomed to their situation.”

The bishops reminded Catholics that “despite efforts to eradicate poverty, there is still an enormous task before us.”

“In the communities where Catholic Charities is present, we know that there are many families that still cannot provide themselves daily sustenance, nor provide for the education of their children or obtain stable and dignified employment,” the bishop said.

He noted that while the general economic situation in the country has shown hopeful signs of improvement, Argentineans have the duty to “not let our commitment in solidarity become lax and to continue building relationships that are ever more just and fraternal and make equitable development possible.”